A replica of Taiwan’s Kinmen Peace Bell was presented to the University of Scranton in a dedication ceremony that was held at the university’s Loyola Science Center on May 1.

The monumental gift was given to thank the Pennsylvania-based educational institute for its charter membership in the Ministry of Culture’s Taiwan Academy and Spotlight Taiwan initiatives, as well as its efforts to promote Taiwan through a successful Asian Studies program.

The original Kinmen Peace Bell was unveiled to the public on the outlying Kinmen Island in 2011. Weighing over 1,100 pounds and standing at 1.8 meters, the monument was cast from discarded artillery shells fired by China’s People’s Liberation Army in the 1950s. Engraved with the word “peace” in more than 100 languages, the Bell is a grave reminder of the price of peace.

The University of Scranton, which is the first educational institution to have received such a gift, is mulling the establishment of an Asian-style structure to house the replica, which is scaled down from the original bell size.

Representing Taiwan at the dedication ceremony was Paul Chang (章文樑), director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.

Reverend Kevin Quinn (left), president of the University of Scranton, and Paul Chang, director-general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York.